BMX Related News
New Skatepark in Derby
There is a new skatepark that has just opened in Derby, and guess what? They have a website! Check it out: http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~igratton/storm/
If you want to know what the dirt e-zine team (all two of us) thought of the skatepark when we paid a visit the other week, see the ‘Scenes’ Page...
DIG Magazine
Next issue should be on the shelves February 14th (apparently...)
S&M Have No Riders Left!
Well, that isn’t entirely true - Sean Butler has left for Schwinn, Kris Bennett has left for ???, Brian Castillo is on his own, hmm...
Ah well, they still have my favourite rider - Chris Moeller. Not really much chance of him leaving, is there?
Brian Castillo & Taj on Primo?
Yeah, apparently it’s true - after Brian left S&M the other week, he has apparently joined Taj Michelich at Primo (who were his co-sponsors anyway whilst he was on S&M), and supposedly there is a new F&F set in the works...
Video Reviews
Hoffman Bikes - Until Monkeys Fly
I wasn't sure about this video at first. When I heard that it had a storyline to it, I imagined something similar to Aggroman (Which is a classic 1988 BMX video, get hold of it if you can for some real action). It is kind of similar in a way, but Matt Hoffman is no where near as funny as Eddie Roman. It's a nice long video (about 1 1/2 hours long) and there is loads of good riding in it. The Hoffman team have improved a lot recently, with Steve Swope, Chuck D and Rick Thorne, all kicking ass on vert and jumpbox. Taj has some crazy street riding in his section and the smoothest variations on trails, the guy knows every 360 variation in the book. Butcher has his own part with some silly transfers, harsh drop offs, and as ever the sickest jumps I have ever seen (Superman seat grab busdrivers). Other stuff includes riding at the Hoffman warehouse, Base jumping, Riding off cliffs on bikes, bad acting and lots of silly humour. Matt Hoffman's own section is really good with lots of riding from the sprocket jockey shows and various places all over the world. In Argentina he's treated like he's a rock star or something, weird! A good video with music ranging from excellent to incredibly crap (Fame theme tune)
Available at Slackyard for a measly 20 squids
Ben.
Cheeky Monkeys - Dirty Jumpers
The third in the trilogy from Ross Milne, is a low budget English bike video. It has lots of good riding and as usual, excellent music (Punkrock and more Punkrock). Editing quality isn't great and sections just stop suddenly, but after the first two vids we're used to this. Best sections include JamieBestwick, he can do every trick that the Americans can think up, and Ian Morris who appears quite regularly on this video. It's a good video if you want to check out the English riding scene because it covers most of the best spots in the U.K. All the usual vert, mini , trails, street is here,extremely weird intro and all this for only £12.
Ben.
SCUM Clothing - Lights Out!
Lights Out is the new video from US company Scum Clothing. Good riding, lots of funny moments and a hilarious slam section. Mostly a mix of street, dirt and mini-ramp, highlights include Butcher's section (X-Up Superman!) and Weasel (Big extended variations). Psycho Colin Winkleman gets his own section and there's some X-Games footage thrown in too. A great video with some excellent music supplied by Descendents, Sicko (see MUSIC section!), Supersuckers and others. Price £19.99 (Available from Backyard Skates).
Ben.
Schwinn - American Muscle
Hmmm... can't make up my mind on this one. It's full of good riders (MAJOR understatement!), but there again I hate Schwinn Bikes with a passion. As a video, it is great - done by the Props guys, it is mostly dirt, with a good bit of ramp, street and a little flat section. Music ranges from excellent (DagNasty) to downright shite. It's worth watching just for the Brian Foster (smooth, big and CONTROL being the keywords for his section) and of course Jay Miron sections (clean DOUBLE flips, 720 busdrivers, 360 tailwhips, downside tailwhips, SICK....). Bit pricey though.
Price £29.99 (Available from Custom Riders)
Nick.
Toy Machine 3 - Welcome to Hell!
Yes, a skate vid review... but anyone with half a brain should go out and buy it right now cos it kicks ASS! Ruling sections from Mike Maldonado, Donny Barley, Satva Leung, and Jamie Thomas (BIG 50-50 grinds down stairs, always clean), and others make this a vid not to miss, even if you don't skate. With music from the Misfits, Sonic Youth, and Pink Floyd, and the HARSHEST slam section I have EVER seen (you think that bike ones are bad, wait till you see this.... oh dear) round this video off. Cheap as well - ALL bike vids should be this price!Price £11.99 (Available from most skate shops....)
Nick.